Abe-Putin talks may lead to a breakthrough in Russia-Japan ties

A potential breakthrough in a decade–long territorial dispute between Japan and Russia is expected after the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met his Russian counterpart Vladmir Putin. The relation between the two countries has hamstrung since the end of World War II when the troops of Soviet Union had seized four islands of Japan in the Pacific Kuril chain which were known as the Northern Territories of Japan. Both the leaders agreed to promote negotiations by taking a new approach toward building a better relation. According to Russia, Japan is a very important partner in the Asia-Pacific region and the nations are planning to sign a peace treaty.